Black Whiteness : Admiral Byrd Alone in the Antarctic

by Robert; Krudop Burleigh

An account of Admiral Richard Byrd's stay alone in a small shack during an antarctic winter.

Genres: History, Biography, Picture Books, Childrens, Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what inspires a person to put himself through an ordeal like this, but Admiral Byrd closed himself in a small, isolated cabin in Antarctica for the winter. Honestly, you'd have to be a little nutty to do that in the first place, but surviving the experience pushed his sanity to its absolute limits. It's an interesting story, though the man behind the story certainly doesn't inspire me to walk in his footsteps. Worth the read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is put out by scholastic press is a children’s book it is much more than that and exciting for anyone of any age to read. The book is almost poetic in many of its descriptions and conveys an awesome sense of loneliness in the middle of the act Arctic by Admiral Byrd. Robert Burley’s writing is truly a joy and ends on an inspirational note.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine being alone in a forlorn land where the temperature INSIDE your dwelling is -50 F? I can't, but that's just what Admiral Byrd did so many years ago, collecting measurements for the sake of science. This book was well written and included snippets from Byrd's journals during his lonely stay at the base. He was rescued by some people from Little America. The kids enjoyed this book!

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language alone in this book makes it worth reading! The passages of Admiral Bird's journal are so poetic and so beautifully described, it made me want to go to Antarctica (and that's saying a lot since I live in South Florida and think that anything below 50 is REALLY cold). The pictures are lovely and the story is great.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful book for children about Admiral Byrd's stay alone in the Antarctic for five months in 1934. I think Burleigh has done a fantastic job here of capturing the cold and dark and isolation and danger and beauty of the place, and the illustrations really add to that as well. Just really well done.

[Yvonne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to put this book into the hands of a junior researcher! Oh the thinking that a great book sparks! My students who hate reading will love the adventure between these pages and they will definitely want to know more. The prose of the narration is musical. The bits and pieces of Admiral Byrd's journal add to the authenticity that picky readers demand.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a great mix of poetry and historical in a biography which is kinda cool. The poems were so well written half the time you can't even tell that they're poems! I think that anyone can read and understand this right from the first page.

[M S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book in every respect.The prose and illustrations are surprising, simple and powerful - just as is the landscape.
I have read this book with, or to, many young boys. All were instantly captivated.
Robert Burleigh is a master.

[MH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alternating between exerpts from Byrd's journal and his own words, Burleigh lets the reader experience the cold, the dark, and the isolation of Byrd's winter in the Antarctic. This book read in the winter along side a unit on weather can be an intense experience.

[Partridge Public]

Burleigh, Robert

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes:
written as a poem
uses Byrd's actual journal entries
good adventure book for antarctic loving kids
used for age 8+

[LouAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admiral Byrd's journal entries and story written in verse...short, intense account of his attempt to survive an Antarctic winter.